Russia+-+Bailey+B1

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= **__Russia Wiki__** =

**Language –** Because of its diverse ethnic groups, Russians speak a variety of different languages; the official language being Russian.
==== **Religion –** During the Soviet era, the government promoted //atheism (the belief there is no God or Supreme Being).// But since the fall of the Soviet Union, religion has begun to grow. The main religions are: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism. On of the most famous churches is the Chuch of the Ressurection in St. Petersburg, Russia. ====

==== **Education –** The Soviet Union had free, mandatory education, focused on math and science rather than the humanities. Since its fall, the nation has been working towards a better rounded education with more options for students. ====

** Health Care – ** Many government-run health facilities are run down and unable to help the increasingly ill populations.
==== **Family Life and Leisure –** Living conditions in Russia are often poor and small, most of the population living in small apartments and/or with extended family members. Sports, concerts, and ballet, are popular entertainment for all ages. ==== ==== **Arts –** Religion was a huge influence on the arts, inspiring the unique churches. Russian is home to many famous painters, composers, poets, etc. One of the most famous musicals being the //Nutcracker// by Tchaikovsky. ====

** __History and Government: __ **

** __Revolution and Change- __ **
==== ** The Russian Revolution – **In the middle 1800s, the Russian government introduced a policy called // Russification //, inciting the people to speak Russian and become Christian; if you didn’t, you persecuted. The citizens of Russia were not happy with// Russification, //leading them into // Socialism, //a belief of economic equality. This revolt led to strikes and protests during the early 1900s, and WWI only added to their demand. The czar stepped down, leading to the start of communism in Russia. ==== ==== ** The Soviet Era – **The Bolsheviks, a rebel group led by Vladimir Lenin, gained control after the czar stepped down. With this power, they took control over the industries, food distribution, farming, and factories. There was a Civil war against the Bolsheviks, won by them, in 1922. This started the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), slowing taking control over surrounding countries. Anyone who disagreed with the USSR’s government, was either killed or sent to labor camps. ====

[[image:worldgeography9/.lenin.gb.jpg width="197" height="197" caption="Vladimir Lenin"]]
==== ** A Superpower – **The USSR had become a world power during WWII, controlling many surrounding countries called // satellites //(countries controlled by the Soviet Union). They were then involved in the Cold War with the United States, a war of // Capitalism // versus // Communism. //It was a war of who had the most power, especially in nuclear weapons. ====

** __Movements for Change – __ **
==== ** The Fall of the Soviet Union – **A dwindling economy and unhappy workers led to the fall of the USSR. A government official encouraged the reform, and began the national restructure. Many // satellites //claimed independence, leading to the fall of // Communism //in 1991. Boris Yeltsin became the first elected leader of Russia. ==== ==== ** A New Russia – **One of the greatest, and hardest transitions for Russia has been the change from a command to a market economy, leading to drastic unemployment. The economy is healing, but it’s a long road because of the renditions to old factories, agriculture, and the lack of technological advances. Ethnic diversity has led to war for the want of independence. ====


 * __ The Economy – __**

**__ Economic Activities: __**
====** Agriculture – ** During the Soviet Era, farms were runs by the government who controlled prices and production. This made the workers very unmotivated, and unhappy. Even with the restructuring of the economy, many have still acted like Soviet factories because farmers are too poor to buy land. Because of this, change to a market economy for the land’s agriculture has been slow. New reforms have been making it easier for farmers to buy farmland, helping the economy fulfill its everyday need of food. ==== ====** Industry – ** The economic focus of the USSR was its aerospace and military industries. This has provided many successes and accomplishments for Russia as well as recently provided income by selling stocks world-wide. Russia’s industries are now expanding to petroleum, an abundant natural resource located in Russia, along with minerals and gems. ====

**__ Transportation and Communications: __**
====** Transporting Goods – ** Because of Russia’s vast land, resources and goods must travel far. Major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg are linked by a highway system, but many roads are damaged. This leads Russia to depend on its Trans-Siberian Railroad system (The world’s largest continuous railroad line) and its waterways that connect major cities. Pipelines are helpful for transporting petroleum across Russia and Europe. ====

====** Transporting People – ** Public transportation is very important to Russians because many live in cities and rely on the trains, buses, and subways. Some people own cars, but it isn’t necessary because of the available public transportation. Jet airplanes are used for longer distances, but that has been decreasing because of the higher prices. ==== ====** Mass Communications – ** The USSR controlled all mass communication systems, looking for and governmental criticism. Since the fall of the USSR, Russians have had more freedom in that regard. Many Russians are enjoying the “boom” in cell phone and internet services. ====

**__ Trade and Interdependence: __**
====** Trade – ** Russia’s energy and fuel has helped its economy, counting for a majority of its exports, trading with nearby countries in Asia and Europe. Russia joined the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in hope to fortify its economy. ==== ====** International Relations – ** Russia is part of the United Nations Security Council and a European Organization that supports security and cooperation, sustaining its part in international activities. It also helps countries in need during peace struggles. ====


 * __ Global Issues- __**

** Soil Pollution – ** Toxic waste has been a huge contributor to Russia’s soil pollution along with petroleum pipelines, cracked storage containers, fertilizers, and pesticides.


Bibliography- --Images: Encyclopedia Britannica, Google Images --Information: World __#|Geography__ and Cultures Textbook

** __History and Government: __ ** ** __Revolution and Change- __ ** ** The Russian Revolution – **In the middle 1800s, the Russian government introduced a policy called // Russification //, inciting the people to speak Russian and become Christian; if you didn’t, you were persecuted. The citizens of Russia were not happy with// Russification, //leading them into // Socialism, //a belief of economic equality. This revolt led to strikes and protests during the early 1900s, and WWI only added to their demand. The czar stepped down, leading to the start of communism in Russia. ** The Soviet Era – **The Bolsheviks, a rebel group led by Vladimir Lenin, gained control after the czar stepped down. With this __#|power__, they took control over the industries, food distribution, farming, and factories. There was a Civil war against the Bolsheviks, won by them, in 1922. This started the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), slowing taking control over surrounding countries. Anyone who disagreed with the USSR’s government, was either killed or sent to labor camps. ** A Superpower – **The USSR had become a world __#|power__ during WWII, controlling many surrounding countries called // satellites //(countries controlled by the Soviet Union). They were then involved in the Cold War with the United States, a war of // Capitalism // versus // Communism. //It was a war of who had the most __#|power__, especially in nuclear weapons.

** __Movements for Change – __ ** ** The Fall of the Soviet Union – **<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A dwindling economy and unhappy workers led to the fall of the USSR. A government official encouraged the reform, and began the national restructure. Many // satellites //claimed independence, leading to the fall of // Communism //in 1991. Boris Yeltsin became the first elected leader of Russia. <span style="display: block; font-size: 12pt; height: 1px; left: -40px; line-height: 150%; overflow: hidden; position: absolute; top: 1986px; width: 1px;">** A New Russia – **One of the greatest, and hardest transitions for Russia has been the change from a command to a market economy, leading to drastic __#|unemployment__. The economy is healing, but it’s a long road because of the renditions to old factories, agriculture, and the lack of technological advances. Ethnic diversity has led to war for the want of greater rule.